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Break your sleep stress cycle with ease.
Order the test from the comfort of your home. No visit to your health care provider required.
With an easy-to-use kit, you can collect your sample when and where it works best for you.
Hormone Health (Sleep & Stress)$299.00
Decode your hormones: your daily adrenal and melatonin hormone cycle affects most processes in your body. This test may be useful for anyone experiencing chronic stress, sleep problems, mood disturbances, fatigue or related symptoms. Two hormones secreted by the adrenal glands are cortisol (which has many important roles such as regulating the body's stress response and helping to control the sleep-wake cycle) and DHEA-S, which is converted into androgens (sex hormones) and plays a protective role to oppose the effects of cortisol. Melatonin is a hormone in your body that also plays a role in sleep.
Measures:
- Cortisol (Morning)
- Cortisol (Evening)
- Cortisol (Afternoon)
- Cortisol (Bedtime)
- Melatonin (Morning)
- Melatonin (Evening)
- Melatonin (Afternoon)
- Melatonin (Bedtime)
- DHEA-S
Do you have a valid health card?
The cost of this product reflects the cost of the test with OHIP coverage. At checkout, please enter a valid Health Card Number and answer all assessment questions in order to confirm you qualify for the discounted price.
Prefer to speak to a health care provider?
- Book an appointment with a naturopathic doctor
Visit your naturopathic doctor to find out if saliva hormone testing is right for you.
- Getting a kit
Your naturopathic doctor will provide you with a saliva hormone kit during your initial or subsequent visit.
- Results via your naturopathic doctor
When your results are ready, your health care provider will review and discuss them with you.
How is hormone health linked to sleep & stress?
The Hormone Health (Sleep & Stress) Kit uses saliva samples to measure bioavailable cortisol, DHEA-S and melatonin levels in your body. Cortisol, DHEA-S, and melatonin hormones have a role in managing stress response and regulating sleep patterns. The Hormone Health (Sleep & Stress) Kit is a convenient, reliable, and non-invasive testing solution that helps you to uncover hormone imbalances that could contribute to sleep disturbances, stress, and related symptoms. Understanding your hormone levels can guide lifestyle adjustments to improve your sleep, reduce stress, and manage overall wellness.
Why are your adrenal and melatonin hormones important?
Understanding adrenal and melatonin hormones such as cortisol, melatonin, and DHEA-S levels is important because they significantly impact your stress management and sleep quality.
Cortisol, known as the "stress hormone," helps manage how your body responds to stress and regulates your sleep cycle. High levels of cortisol, especially in the evening, can disrupt your sleep. DHEA-S, on the other hand, is linked to stress resilience and supports healthy sleep, mood, and energy levels.
Melatonin is a hormone in your body that also plays a role in sleep. Melatonin levels are generally highest at night and lowest during the day, allowing you to feel alert during the day and have quality sleep at night. Variations in the typical levels and onset of melatonin production throughout the day can result with sleep disturbances and symptoms of daytime sleepiness and mood changes.
Why should you learn about your adrenal and melatonin hormones?
Knowing your levels of these hormones can help you understand your body's stress response and sleep patterns. This insight allows you to make specific changes to improve your sleep and reduce stress, such as adjusting your lifestyle, diet, and exercise routine.
At home tests are a convenient way to monitor these hormone levels and offers a straightforward way to enhance your well-being by tailoring your lifestyle choices for hormonal balance.
Symptoms of Adrenal and Melatonin Hormonal Imbalance
The symptoms of a hormonal imbalance will differ depending on which hormone is affected and whether a person has too much or too little of a certain hormone.
People with a cortisol, melatonin, or DHEA-S hormonal imbalance may experience:
- weight gain or sudden weight loss
- sleep issues (such as fatigue or insomnia)
- daytime sleepiness
- poor stress tolerance
- mood changes
- increased thirst
- changes in appetite
- changes in sex drive
- menstrual changes
However, symptoms can vary widely, and the list above is not exhaustive.
Order a kit today
The Hormone Health (Sleep & Stress) Kit is a quick and easy way to collect your sample from the comfort and privacy of your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is tested with the Hormone Health (Sleep & Stress) Kit?
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The Hormone Health (Sleep & Stress) Kit tests for cortisol and melatonin over the course of the day (after waking, afternoon, evening, and just before bed), as well as a measure of DHEA-S. These hormones play an essential role in your health, and an imbalance may be the result of (or contribute to) symptoms or underlying health concerns.
Results show whether your hormone levels are within the expected range. More information is provided on the importance of each measurement and what it may mean for your health.
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How are sleep, stress, adrenal and melatonin hormones related?
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Cortisol is a key adrenal hormone responsible for maintaining the sleep-wake cycle. Stress, diet, and some disorders affecting adrenal hormone balance can disrupt sleep by disrupting cortisol levels in the body. Sleep disorders themselves can also affect adrenal hormone levels, as chronic sleep disturbance places stress on the body.
Melatonin is a hormone in your body that also plays a role in sleep. The production and release of melatonin in the brain is connected to time of day, increasing when it’s dark and decreasing when it’s light. Variations in the typical levels and onset of melatonin production throughout the day can result with sleep disturbances and symptoms of daytime sleepiness and mood changes.
DHEA-S is linked to stress resilience and supports healthy sleep, mood, and energy levels.
Long-term disruption of cortisol levels can increase your risk of other health issues or contribute to various symptoms. Knowing your adrenal and melatonin hormone levels can provide useful information on whether they are affected by or contributing to current symptoms and whether lifestyle changes or other measures may be helpful.
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How is the Hormone Health (Sleep & Stress) Kit different than a blood test?
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Saliva contains bioavailable (unbound) hormones, while blood contains both bound and unbound versions; it is the bioavailable hormones that would reach the target tissue.
Saliva testing provides a measure of biologically active hormones. An imbalance in these hormones can affect the body and be responsible for symptoms related to excessive or deficient hormone levels.
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Who is this test for?
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This test is useful for people who are interested in improving their overall wellness through understanding their hormone health. Some of the symptoms associated with adrenal hormone imbalance include sleep issues (such as insomnia or fatigue), poor stress tolerance, daytime sleepiness, or sudden changes in mood, thirst, appetite, or weight.
Salivary measurements of adrenal and melatonin hormones have been found to be helpful in detecting and monitoring health conditions, including:
- Evaluating circadian rhythms
- Diagnosing sleep disorders
- Identifying burnout and stress
- Providing a general hormonal health screen
Note: Saliva hormone testing is primarily used as a screening tool and not as a diagnostic test. For diagnosis and follow-up to any test results, you should consult your health care provider.
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Who should not take this test?
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You should not take this test if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have been diagnosed with a condition that affects saliva (such as gingivitis, Sjogren’s syndrome, HIV/AIDs, cystic fibrosis, Addison’s disease, Cushing’s syndrome or other adrenal disorder), have had dental surgery during the previous month, or have taken medications or supplements that affect saliva or cortisol-based medications that are topical (applied to the skin, such as hydrocortisone cream), oral (such as Cortef or prednisone) or inhaled (such as asthma medication) within the past three months. This includes both prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Please visit this link to view the full list of medications that may affect your results.
Note:
- To ensure accuracy of your results, biotin and melatonin supplementation must stop 24-hours prior to collecting your saliva samples.
- Individuals with pineal gland tumors and individuals who have received radiation treatment can expect their melatonin results to be impacted.
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How do I prepare for and collect my Hormone Health (Sleep & Stress) sample?
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For the At-home Self Collection kit, your saliva sample will be collected at home. To learn more about how to prepare and the collection process, please visit our online instructions page.
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What does the test cost?
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For those with OHIP coverage, the Hormone Health (Sleep & Stress) Kit is $299. If you do not have a valid OHIP card, please reach out to a Naturopathic Doctor for access to Hormone Health testing options. Visit this link to find a naturopathic doctor nearest you.
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How will I receive my results?
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Your results will be available online through our secure platform. A notification will be sent to your inbox when your results are ready.
You will receive an email about your results and, if necessary, additional follow-up from LifeLabs’ clinical partner, MD Connected.
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Sources
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- Cleveland Clinic: Melatonin [Melatonin: What It Is & Function (clevelandclinic.org)]
- Klein DC. Arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase: “the Timezyme”. J Biol Chem. 2007 Feb 16;282(7):4233-7. doi: 10.1074/jbc.R600036200. Epub 2006 Dec 12. PMID: 17164235.
- Jockovich M, Cosentino D, Cosentino L, Wears RL, Seaberg DC. Effect of exogenous melatonin on mood and sleep efficiency in emergency medicine residents working night shifts. Acad Emerg Med. 2000 Aug;7(8):955-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1553-2712.2000.tb02082.
- Almeida Montes LG, Ontiveros Uribe MP, Cortés Sotres J, Heinze Martin G. Treatment of primary insomnia with melatonin: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2003 May;28(3):191-6.
- Rose DA, Kahan TL. Melatonin and sleep qualities in healthy adults: pharmacological and expectancy effects. J Gen Psychol. 2001 Oct;128(4):401-21. doi: 10.1080/00221300109598918.
- ARENDT, J., ALDHOUS, M., ENGLISH, J., MARKS, V., ARENDT, J. H., MARKS, M., & FOLKARD, S. (1987). Some effects of jet-lag and their alleviation by melatonin. Ergonomics, 30(9), 1379–1393. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140138708966031.
- Beck-Friis J, Kjellman BF, Aperia B, Undén F, von Rosen D, Ljunggren JG, Wetterberg L. Serum melatonin in relation to clinical variables in patients with major depressive disorder and a hypothesis of a low melatonin syndrome. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1985 Apr;71(4):319-30. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1985.tb02531.
- Miller E, Walczak A, Majsterek I, Kędziora J. Melatonin reduces oxidative stress in the erythrocytes of multiple sclerosis patients with secondary progressive clinical course. Journal of Neuroimmunology. 2013. 257 (1–2):97-101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneuroim.2013.02.012.
- Cleveland Clinic: Cortisol. [Cortisol: What It Is, Function, Symptoms and Levels (clevelandclinic.org)].
- Cleveland Clinic: DHEAS. [DHEA-S Test: What It Is, Procedure, Results. (clevelandclinic.org)].
- Dutheil F, de Saint Vincent S, Pereira B, Schmidt J, Moustafa F, Charkhabi M, Bouillon-Minois JB, Clinchamps M. DHEA as a Biomarker of Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Psychiatry. 2021 Jul 6;12:688367. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.688367.
